Microsoft Security Essentials release will feature prominent warnings for Windows XP

[NYJimbo]

Ok, customer drops off an old XP box, is fully aware that XP is going to lose support but he will live with that for as long as he can. Fine.

He is also using MSSE ( Microsoft Security Essentials )and he is aware that MSSE will not be directly supported on XP but will get virus/database updates. Fine.

So this morning I am just doing some final updates on his machine and one is a MSSE update and after its done, a yellow/orange MSSE warning box comes up on the lower right warning that when XP loses support so will support of MSSE on XP and you should click on a link to find out more info.

The tiny green house turns yellow AND STAYS THAT WAY, no matter what you do.

So now even though the user knows that MSSE will not support XP (but will offer updates) you cannot do anything to turn that little house green again. So not only do you have to see that every time you boot up, you cant tell why its yellow (outdated, needs a scan, potential virus) so its pointless keeping MSSE installed even if they do continue to offer updates.

I called the customer and told him that he should remove MSSE and put in BitDefender or something like it or he wont know whats going on with his A/V.

Just wanted to post this so if you have customers who are sticking with XP and use MSSE, they are pretty much about to lose their A/V protection even though there will be updates to the databases.

See this for more info:

http://thenextweb.com/microsoft/201...ture-prominent-warnings-for-windows-xp-users/

 

[stro]

Saw this yesterday too. It really pisses me off. They say they are gonna do updates for mse on xp through July 2015 and then pull this.

 

[mr m]

Thanks for the heads up. It looks like KB2949787 is responsible for turning the MSSE icon yellow, not the latest sig updates.

I also found this:

Will Microsoft Security Essentials be supported after April 8, 2014?

Microsoft Security Essentials will not be available for download on Windows XP after April 8, 2014. If you already have Microsoft Security Essentials installed, you will continue to receive anti-malware signature updates through July 14, 2015. However, please note that PCs running Windows XP after April 8, 2014 should not be considered protected.

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/enterprise/end-of-support.aspx

 

[Xander]

It would make sense for it to stay yellow after the 8th, though. It would be, at that point, running on an insecure system.

 

[NYJimbo]

It would make sense for it to stay yellow after the 8th, though. It would be, at that point, running on an insecure system.

Yeah, but the MSSE icon should be about MSSE, not the whole system.

Why not have ALL antiviruses do the same thing when XP support ends ? I doubt Kaspersky, ESET, BitDefender, AVG, etc.. will put up a "warning" icon for their A/V because XP is losing support.

 

[AdamsAPlus]

No Microsoft is doing everything it can to put XP in the grave. They want everyone to upgrade. We had the same issues when 98 lost support. Just no one noticed cause everyone wanted to upgrade to xp. lol.

I would try to talk them into changing their AV program

 

[Tekguy]

I called the customer and told him that he should remove MSSE and put in BitDefender or something like it or he wont know whats going on with his A/V.

I've been considering making the switch to Bitdefender free also because it consistently is at the top of the file detection rankings at AV-Comparatives.org along with Kaspersky. Actually they use the paid version & I'm not sure of the differences between the two, but the free version should still provide excellent protection.

There seem to be quite a few problems with the free version of Bitdefender however, such as not being able to restore quarantined files, the show logs button not working, & other random performance issues. The definitions are still being updated, but the last program update for Bitdefender free was about a half year ago. It seems to have been abandoned by Bitdefender.

Maybe I'll try reselling the paid version of Bitdefender. I consistently see deals on it for under $10, so it seems like a great way to make a nice profit & have one of the best AVs on the market. I'm staying away from the free version though.

Here's a 119 page thread at Wilderssecurity.com talking about all the issues with Bitdefender free. The last three pages will give you a brief idea of some of the problems.

http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=338408&page=117&highlight=bitdefender+free

 

[pc-rebuilders]

Problems here too

I'm experiencing the same problems. I had a customer just this morning freaking out about Microsoft security essentials. I'm really not sure what to replace security essentials with, have been pretty happy with it. Does anyone have any suggestions or site I can go to to determine this?

I had one customer click on the tab for more information and it downloaded and installed the Microsoft check and see if you can run Windows 8 crap. This is getting a lot of people in a panic and unnecessary. On the other hand, could be a good thing, looks like we might be busy.

 

[Go-To Gordon]

Just saw this on my virtual machine. I uninstalled all recent updates and it's still there. Haven't dug any deeper.

 

[codegreen]

I'm getting some calls on this as well. I'm filing this in the "Good Things" folder, though, because it gives me another chance to talk about Windows XP support ending and guiding these customers through their alternatives. And, if they insist on sticking with Windows XP, we talk about upgrading to a paid antivirus solution and other ways we can tighten up security.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

I'm experiencing the same problems. I had a customer just this morning freaking out about Microsoft security essentials. I'm really not sure what to replace security essentials with, have been pretty happy with it. Does anyone have any suggestions or site I can go to to determine this?

I had one customer click on the tab for more information and it downloaded and installed the Microsoft check and see if you can run Windows 8 crap. This is getting a lot of people in a panic and unnecessary. On the other hand, could be a good thing, looks like we might be busy.

My new "go to freebie" is BitDefenders free version.
VERY light. Only thing...you do have to register within 30 days of installation for updates to continue. Technically it does "nag"...but it's very very minimal.

BitDefender often trades first and second place position for "Best AV" with Kaspersky over at AV-Comparatives...for the past several years. So it's a VERY good product.

Another good freebie I used for a while was Panda Cloud Free. Also quite strong in detection. I don't recall nags.

 

[MikeLierman]

Didn't know anyone still used MSSE. I've been removing it anytime someone has it installed. Microsoft came out and publicly stated that they want to be the worst AV on the market. (Source: http://lifehacker.com/microsoft-admits-that-third-party-antivirus-is-more-eff-1441135677/all)

 

[Go-To Gordon]

it should be noted that bit defender free has zero options! no way for exclusions or easy way access to quarantine items.

I love the paid version, use it and sell it.

 

[NYJimbo]

Does Bitdefender still change IE browser home page to "about:blank" when it does a clean up ? I hated that and it would confuse customers because it would look like their home page wasn't loading.

 

[pc-rebuilders]

I'm getting some calls on this as well. I'm filing this in the "Good Things" folder, though, because it gives me another chance to talk about Windows XP support ending and guiding these customers through their alternatives. And, if they insist on sticking with Windows XP, we talk about upgrading to a paid antivirus solution and other ways we can tighten up security.

I'm in the same boat! Have been recommending security essentials for last couple of years and customers have been very happy too. They are asking for an alternative and I have told them I would research it and get back to them. Anyone know of a good replacement that won't make their machine run sluggish?

 

[codegreen]

I'm in the same boat! Have been recommending security essentials for last couple of years and customers have been very happy too. They are asking for an alternative and I have told them I would research it and get back to them. Anyone know of a good replacement that won't make their machine run sluggish?

Like Stonecat, I'm using Bitdefender Free as my go-to free solution. I have it running on a bunch of XP-era computers with no noticeable performance hit. The only annoyance is you have to register each installation. It's a simple registration, however: just name and email. I have a catch-all set up for my domain, so I just register with clientfirstname.clientlastname.bd@codegreen.ca. Works like a charm.

I normally use Kaspersky as a paid solution, but it makes older machines too sluggish. Can anyone tell me how well Bitdefender's paid version runs on older systems?

 

[ohio_grad_06]

Still like Avast Free. I know others have tried other ones, I've tested out others recently, but find myself still going back to using Avast.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

I normally use Kaspersky as a paid solution, but it makes older machines too sluggish. Can anyone tell me how well Bitdefender's paid version runs on older systems?

The paid version is a little heavier....it's what N-Able uses for the AV Defender product. You can make profiles...some of which can be "low system resoure" profiles that are a little more stripped down (like no content filter).

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

There seem to be quite a few problems with the free version of Bitdefender however, such as not being able to restore quarantined files, the show logs button not working, & other random performance issues. The definitions are still being updated, but the last program update for Bitdefender free was about a half year ago. It seems to have been abandoned by Bitdefender.

Just happened to clean a residential laptop with it.....
I tested the "restore from quarantine feature"....and it worked. I can see what's in there, restore it, and I can review prior scans, and what was found, just fine (events).

 

[Tekguy]

Just happened to clean a residential laptop with it.....
I tested the "restore from quarantine feature"....and it worked. I can see what's in there, restore it, and I can review prior scans, and what was found, just fine (events).

From what I've read, the issue with the logs button not working & not being able to restore quarantined files is totally random with Bitdefender Free.

Enough people in that Wilderssecurity thread I linked to are having problems to scare me away from using it. It's too bad, since it has excellent detection rates & sounds like it's pretty light weight. No update to the anti-virus engine for over half a year doesn't help matters.